More specialist search officers have been drafted in to help hunt for

Police searching for April Jones are now focusing their efforts in Ceinws

More specialist search officers have been drafted in to help hunt for missing five-year-old April Jones, who disappeared more than three week ago, police have said.

Dyfed Powys Police said the intensity of the search would continue while there were leads to follow, with 150 specialist officers now involved.

It comes words and gestures of support for the community have been received from as far as Australia, South Africa, France and Israel.

Seventeen teams are scouring an area around Machynlleth, the Powys town where April went missing on October 1.

An area of 23sq miles – much of which is described as in “difficult terrain” around Machynlleth is being combed.

Mark Bridger, 46, has been charged with abducting and murdering April.

He is also accused of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Inspector Gareth Thomas, a police search adviser, said the teams of officers have been searching for April every day since she went missing – with more search officers involved now than when the search started.

He said some areas were checked and rechecked, in what is a methodical operation across the rural landscape.

“We’ve got 17 police search teams working and the intensity of the search continues.

“Actually, we’ve got more search officers now than when the search started.”

He said areas were searched “systematically and methodically” to ensure a “high level of confidence in the search in that area”.

Specialist officers from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service who are trained to work in confined spaces and have rope access teams are also aiding the police operation.

“Everybody is really dedicated and motivated in finding April and while we still have intelligence leads to search, we will continue,” he said.

The pledge of commitment from the police comes just days after crowds gathered in the town to mark three weeks since April disappeared.

The town clock in the centre of Machynlleth was illuminated pink – said to be the missing five-year-old’s favourite colour – and people paid their respects.

The loss of the April continues to cast a shadow over the community, which is struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

Organisers of Powys eisteddfod had planned to cancel the event following April’s disappearance but her family said they wanted it to go ahead.

John Price the event’s organising committee chairman said: “I think it’s very noble of them to want things to go back to normal because the whole town feels for them as well.”

The Reverend Kathleen Rogers, priest-in-charge at St Peter’s Parish Church in Machynlleth, said there was still a “black cloud” over the community.

“This is something that is hugely difficult to come to terms with and the whole of Machynlleth is trying to move forward and trying to get back to some kind of normality but we will never get there until this little girl is found.”

She said the community was given strength by the police are continuing to search the way they are.

“It is quite haunting to see the officers walking in line across the fields but it gives us strength and hope that April will be found.”

Rev Rogers said the letters and emails received from all over the world are “just so humbling”.

“We have letters from South Africa, Israel, Cyprus, Italy, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and America.

“All of these people have said they are thinking of April, her parents and the people of Machynlleth, and praying for us. One mother and daughter in Australia said they have put pink ribbons up around their village and school.

"This kind of support is helping restore the faith in the love and good that far outweighs the dreadful evil that is in the world.”

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